Home Buying Checklist: Simplifying Your Path to Homeownership with Expert Guidance

Move forward confidently in your Denver home search with knowledge from valuable real estate experts

December 20, 2024 - Rankin, Goulder, Kissinger

Navigating Denver's competitive housing market without a real estate agent can be an overwhelming challenge. With bidding wars and rapidly shifting listings, buyers face significant risks such as overpaying, overlooking key inspection issues, misinterpreting complex contract terms, delaying closing, or facing legal liabilities from improperly executed agreements. An experienced agent provides the expertise and negotiation skills necessary to ensure buyers make informed decisions and secure the best possible outcome, especially in Denver's high-demand neighborhoods.

Homeownership remains one of the most dependable paths to building long-term wealth and financial stability. According to a Bankrate survey, 58% of Americans view real estate as the top investment strategy, surpassing stocks and other financial assets. For the past decade, Gallup polls have consistently ranked real estate as the best long-term investment. Witnessing the transformative power of real estate in our clients’ lives is what drives our passion for helping people achieve their homeownership and financial goals.

As proud members of Compass Denver, the top brokerage in both Denver and the nation in sales volume, we combine personalized client service with the industry-leading tools and resources of an innovative real estate network. Our high-performing team is committed to delivering the dedicated attention and expertise our clients deserve at every step of their real estate journey.

Market Overview

According to Redfin, a record 26% of homebuyers are seeking to relocate to a different part of the country. Denver continues to be a top choice, consistently ranking among the nation’s hottest housing markets and drawing buyers from across the U.S. At RGK, we don’t just sell Denver homes—we’re deeply connected to the vibrant communities in which we proudly reside.

Above: Data from the 2024 Compass National Market Insights Report shows the latest short-term and long-term trends in real estate, including how appreciation outpaces inflation.

Long-term home appreciation rates consistently outpace inflation (above left), solidifying real estate as one of the most reliable and rewarding investments available. While the cost of goods and services tends to rise over time, the value of real estate often grows at an even faster pace, helping homeowners build equity and safeguard their wealth against the eroding effects of inflation.

U.S. median single-family home sales price trends (above right) from 1990 to October 2024 have shown nearly continuous growth. After periods of steady growth, the market experienced disruptions during the 2005-2007 housing bubble and the subsequent recession, followed by a sharp rise starting in 2020 due to the pandemic. As of October 2024, the median price remains essentially unchanged from September but reflects a 4.1% increase year-over-year, continuing the upward trend in home prices.

Unlike other investments that may be subject to market volatility or economic downturns, real estate provides tangible value and enduring demand. This appreciation not only enhances financial security but also creates opportunities for homeowners to leverage their equity for future investments, renovations, or personal goals. Over time, owning a home proves to be a cornerstone of long-term financial success and stability.

Value of a Buyer's Agent

Real estate transactions are significant milestones that benefit from a team who considers every aspect of your unique situation. While owning property offers incredible long-term rewards, the buying process can be staggering. Having a knowledgeable and reliable advocate to guide you every step of the way ensures a smoother, more confident experience.

Local Expertise: With years of experience and a deep understanding of the local market, we ensure you stay ahead in Denver’s ever-evolving real estate landscape. Having lived, worked, and enjoyed life in neighborhoods such as Whittier, University Hills, and Wash Park for decades, we’re not just real estate experts—we’re your trusted resource for both property matters and community insights.

Accurate Property Valuation: A skilled agent provides critical advice on determining a fair price for a property based on current market conditions, regardless of the listing price. They also offer effective strategies to help you secure your dream home. From evaluating offers to negotiating contracts, navigating inspections, and beyond, a buyer’s agent is an indispensable partner for buyers aiming to make the most of their investment.

Contract Negotiation: An agent serves as your advocate, negotiating critical contract terms to protect your interests and reduce potential risks. They also provide a steady, experienced voice, acting as a resource and support system during the often-stressful negotiations of a competitive market like Denver's.

Problem Resolution: Foundation cracks? We've handled it. Home repairs? We've got connections to reliable contractors and experts. Broken appliances? We’ve seen it all. A connected agent is equipped to tackle unexpected challenges, from financing hurdles to closing delays, with confidence and care.

Closing Assistance and Beyond: An agent supports you through the closing process, ensuring all terms are met and providing guidance on any real estate matters long after the deal is done. As a team of proud Denverites, we’re here for you now and for years to come.

Why Use a Buyer Agent in Denver
Above: Each home represents a bigger story—a dream of homeownership and the life someone envisions. Our team is proud to deliver the dedicated attention and expertise our clients deserve at every step of their real estate journey.

Home Buyer To-Do List

According to Realtor.com, a buyer’s agent can perform over 100 tasks throughout the course of a successful transaction. These include items such as the following:

Learn about local home prices, inventory levels, and market demand in your desired area. If you are in a hotter market such as Denver, high demand for houses may affect your buying process and offer strategy and market conditions are always changing.
Assess your financial ability to purchase a home. They typical rule of thumb is that your total monthly housing payment (mortgage, taxes and insurance, etc.) should not exceed 30% of your gross monthly household income, BUT individual situations may vary.
Negotiate the best price with the seller’s agent. The seller’s agent will be negotiating on the homeowners behalf. Negotiating with a professional who likely has extensive experience in this area puts you at a disadvantage without a buyer agent by your side.
Investigate all your options for a home inspector, title company, appraiser and other services. Forgoing a home inspection is not advised as these professional inspectors will provide a comprehensive assessment of a home’s current condition and risk.
Coordinate communications effectively among all parties, including your lender, the seller’s agent, the closing attorney and and any additional third parties.
Execute all closing duties such as confirming the clear-to-close status, indicating all documents and conditions to approve your loan have been met, and verifying and providing fees, taxes, prorations and closing costs will be. Review your title insurance commitment carefully to ensure all information is accurate and verify all wiring instructions with the seller’s agent before transferring funds. Verify receipt of all keys, access codes, garage door openers, and manuals for all equipment and appliances.

^{Above: Realtor.com created a comprehensive list of all the tasks a buyer's agent can perform during a single transaction - and it's a big one!}

“There are a lot of nuances involved with buying real estate. Having a strong connection with a trusted real estate advisor allows for a sense of confidence even when doing the scary things in life, like buying a bigger home or starting an investment portfolio. Technology can't read between the emotional lines of doing something for the first time or pushing yourself toward growth,” says Jane Goulder.

For most people, a home is their largest financial investment. But beyond the transaction, each home represents a bigger story—a dream of homeownership and the life someone envisions. When the contracts are signed, and the deadlines are met, the true reward is seeing buyers confident in their decisions and thrilled with the outcome of their journey.

When it comes to one of life's biggest investments, having a professional guide can make all the difference between stress and success, transforming an overwhelming process into a confident path to homeownership.

What our Home Buyers Have to Say

“Jane Goulder is an amazing Realtor! She was so patient with us and showed us several different houses till we found our forever home. She found us the perfect home on a quiet cul-de-sac in a great neighborhood. Jane always answered the many questions we had, and always answered our calls or text immediately. Buying a new home is obviously stressful, but Jane reassured us and gave us great advice each step of the way. Now that we have closed on our house, Jane continues to help us with recommendations on a quality painter, contractor, and carpet company. Jane got us the best deal possible on the new home, and honestly we couldn't have done it without her.” - Matt

“Allison Rankin is the best realtor we have ever worked with (and we have worked with many realtors over the years). She is fantastic! We recently used Allison to find (over many months) and buy a Denver home. Allison is detail-oriented, knows the Denver market, knows how to keep the process on track, and she is an absolute pleasure to work with, which is super important during an inherently stressful experience like buying or selling a house. But our stress level was low because we knew Allison always had things under control, and she always patiently answered our questions. Allison went out of her way multiple times during our transaction to find solutions to issues that arose with our new home as we worked through the inspection process. Given that we had found Allison through the strong recommendation of friends, we had high expectations, but Allison exceeded our expectations.” - Kevin

“Living out of state, our goal was to purchase a condo in Denver for visits with our adult children, but at the same time to utilize it as a short-term Airbnb rental when we are out of town. From our initial meeting, Amy Kissinger impressed us with her preparedness, providing a wealth of research on short-term rental laws, county requirements, and potential sites within our budget. As we navigated the offer and negotiation phase, Amy demonstrated unparalleled dedication. Her responsiveness to our text queries, often within minutes, and expert coaching based on her extensive experience, made us feel like her sole focus.Despite Amy's status as a top producer in Denver, her personalized attention made us believe we were her only priority. Her deep knowledge and expertise were instrumental in identifying the ideal opportunity for our short-term rental.” - Tim

Above: Our team is consistently recognized as 5280 Double Black Diamond Real Estate Producers. We simply LOVE our clients and helping them reach their home goals.

No one is better equipped to represent your interests when buying a Denver home than Rankin, Goulder and Kissinger. Our team works solely for you, advocating for your needs during negotiations with the seller's agent in what is likely one of the most significant financial decisions of your life.

From ensuring you pay a fair price to navigating inspection details and contract terms, a buyer’s agent serves as your trusted advisor every step of the way. Our expertise can save you money, reduce stress, and help you avoid costly mistakes.

It's no wonder that nearly 9 out of 10 homebuyers say they’d use a buyer’s agent again when purchasing a home, according to a survey by Realtor.com.

Having a dedicated advocate on your side is more than a convenience—it's a necessity.

If you are considering buying or selling anywhere in the Denver area, reach out to Allison Rankin, Jane Goulder, or Amy Kissinger today!

Allison Rankin, Jane Goulder, Amy Kissinger - Top Colorado Real Estate Agents of Compass Denver

Whether you're a first-time buyer, an investor, or an experienced buyer looking to upsize or downsize, we possess the experience, resources, and relationships to assist you. Let us help you embark on your next chapter in the Denver area!

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Home Buying Checklist: Simplifying Your Path to Homeownership with Expert Guidance